Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address the regulation and safety standards within the civil aviation sector, including the issuance of specific airworthiness directives to ensure aircraft safety and reliability. One such directive is AD/MU-2/30 concerning the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes, which was introduced to address a specific safety concern regarding the engine electrical harness. This directive mandates the inspection and replacement of the electrical cable P/No MS25471, as identified by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No. 191. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with the conducting portion of the cable protruding through its insulation, thereby preventing potential electrical failures and ensuring the continued safe operation of the aircraft. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, and -36 series, excluding certain serial numbers identified as exceptions. Compliance with this directive involves inspecting the engine electrical harness according to the specified service bulletin and replacing any unacceptable wiring within prescribed timeframes: the initial inspection must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1984, with subsequent inspections required at intervals not exceeding 100 hours thereafter. A broader inspection is mandated within 300 hours of time in service after 31 January 1984. This directive underscores the commitment of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations, specifically Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandate the inspection and replacement of the engine electrical harness for certain Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. These regulations apply to specific serial numbers of MU-2B-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 and MU-2B-30/-35/-36 models, excluding certain serial numbers identified in the legislation. The regulations require adherence to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No. 191, detailing the procedures for inspecting and replacing the affected electrical wiring, part number MS 25471, due to issues identified with the cable insulation. Compliance must be achieved within specific timeframes following 31 January 1984, as stipulated in the regulations. The scope of the Act is clearly defined in terms of the specific aircraft models and serial numbers affected, and it provides detailed instructions for compliance through the referenced service bulletin. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it applies under the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain a directive for the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes, referenced as AD/MU-2/30. This directive concerns the inspection and replacement of a particular engine electrical harness component, namely the P/No MS25471 Electrical Cable (section 1). The applicable serial numbers for this directive are MU-2B-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 from 005 to 347, excluding 313 and 321, and MU-2B-30/-35/-36 from 501 to 696, excluding 652 and 661 (section 1(1)). The directive references Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No. 191 for the specific procedures to be followed. Operators and owners of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 aeroplanes must comply with the directive by inspecting the engine electrical harness according to the instructions provided in SB No. 191 and replacing any unacceptable wiring part number MS 25471 as directed (section 1(2)). The inspection and replacement must be conducted within specific timeframes: Part 1 requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1984 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours; Part 2 requires compliance within 300 hours of time in service after the same date (section 1(3)). Failure to comply with these directives may result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in this excerpt, the broader regulations governing the Civil Aviation Act 1988 could impose civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. The directive also notes that JCAB AD No. TCD 2113-82 is relevant, which may provide additional regulatory context or enforcement measures. The directive’s purpose is to address a known safety issue where the conducting portion of the electrical cable has been found protruding through the insulation, which poses a potential risk to the aircraft's operation. Ensuring compliance with these specific maintenance and inspection requirements is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the affected Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes and ensuring the safety of all persons on board.